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...sounds like a good chop saw with a
metal blade is my best application!
...

Just a request for clarification since I've seen and heard "chop saw" used both for metal cutoff saws and for miter saws used for wood crosscuts. Which definition are you using? If you are talking about a woodworking miter saw, I echo Frank865's caution. Not to mention I wouldn't want to risk several hundred dollars worth of compound sliding miter saw by cutting iron with it.

If you use a miter Saw as a chop saw, it will loose it's quality adjustments and the compound angle will not be that accurate after some useage. The Chop Saw is meant to cut straight down. With the stage or vice being able to be moved on one plane.

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If I was cutting aluminum I'd use that wood saw in a heartbeat,,,,but I would use my brain as well. If you have a background using a saw of that style with wood then you'll have no problem but if you are a noobie that sets behind a desk all day and never took a day of shop in school then STOP!!!
Get some training or yer gonna hurt yourself or worse yet somebody else!!
Same goes for about any other power tool that will cut metal.
Wear proper protection and THINK!!!

Comment

I use a standard wood cutting blade to saw insulated panels which are 4-6 inches of foam covered front and back with 26ga. tempered steel. The best thing I've found to cut it is my DeWalt cordless. It cuts a thinner kerf (smaller projectiles) and turns a little slower (lower velocity). It is still an exercise in pain if you're in the wrong spot when the chips are flying.